May 2025
So, Honda has announced that their planned $15-billion re-tooling of their Aliston plant to produce electric vehicles and batteries will be put on hold for at least two years. They are just the latest in a growing list of auto manufacturers who are re-thinking their commitment to E/V production.
Volvo, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin are also reducing or pausing their electric vehicle production plans. Ford Motor Company announced a net loss of $2.32 billion in E/V sales in the first quarter of 2024, while reporting a profit amongst sales of its gas-powered vehicles. They announced that their plans to produce E/Vs at their Oakville plant will be delayed until at least 2027.
You don’t need a degree in economics to understand that no private business will manufacture a product, or provide a service, if they don’t think they can make a profit from it. While I have no intention of buying a fully electric vehicle, I have no problem with E/Vs, which do have a place in the auto market. However, it should be up to the consumer whether they want an E/V, or a gas-powered vehicle, not activist governments who willingly ignore the environmental and practical shortcomings of E/Vs.
Can we finally admit that the driving public isn’t as enthusiastic about electric vehicles as progressive politicians were expecting? E/Vs certainly have their place, and maybe some day, they will be the preferred choice for the motoring public, but that time is not right now.
Sources: Honda to postpone plans for EV plant in Canada for at least 2 years | CBC News, The EV pullback: Why these 5 automakers are retreating from big plans | Trellis, EV euphoria is dead. Automakers trumpet consumer choice in U.S., Ford scraps plans for $1.8-billion Oakville EV assembly plant.
